Steam turbine



J. F. GREY STEAM TURBINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15, I921.

Patented Dec. 12, 1922;.

6 SHEETS-SHEET I.

1. F. GREY. STEAM TURBINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15- 192i.

Patented Dec.12,1922..

, 6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. F. GREY. STEAM TURBINE.

APPLICATION FILED lUNE 15, 192].

0, 1 1% 4 8 i l, I Z 1 m 5 6 SHEETSSHEET 3- Patented Dec. 12, 1922.

'1. F. GREY.

- STEAM TURBINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15,192].

Patented Dec. 12, 1922.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15. 192i.

Patented Dec. 12, 1922.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5- INVENTOR Job/7 Z''rey.

E E F EYS J. F. GREY.

STEAM TURBINE.

APPLICATION men JUNE 15, um.

Patented Dec.12 ,1922.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Patented Dec. 12, 1922.

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JOHN F. GREY, OF NEVJ ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

STEAM TURBINE.

Application filed .Tune 15,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN F. GREY, a citizenof the. United States, residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleansand State of Louisiana, have invented a new and Improved Steam Turbine,of which the following is a specification.

In general this turbine is of a single wheel type with severalcompartments, in which the steam, introduced by suitably located nozzleshas a continuous forward whirl without a forward outlet, exhausting andrelieving of back pressure resistance the front of the surfaces andblades acted upon by suction or molecular adhesion, utilizing in thismatter both the momentum and pressure of the steam.

The present invention has for its object to provide an improved turbineof the foregoing character and more particularly to provide certain newand useful improvements on the construction of turbine disclosed in myPatent No. 1,398,114, issued October 11, 1921.

In the drawings is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the inventionand like numerals of reference designate like parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section. substantially onthe line 11 of Figure 4, of the preferred embodiment of my invention.

Figure 2 is a detail perspective view of one of the shearing rings orpartition members.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the courses of the steam inexhausting from the exhaust channel.

Figure 4 is a vertical cross section on substantially the line 4l4t ofFigure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the rotor inlongitudinal section, through the inlet chamber, one blade being inposition and showing the location of the steps on those blades, theouter surfaces of the steps being tangential to the curvatureof therotor.

Figure 6 is a detail perspective View of one of the shearing plates witha two part blade riveted thereto.

Figure 7 is a vertical section on substantially the line 7-7 of Figure4: looking in 1921. Serial No. 477,792.

the direction of the arrow, the steps as on the side plate 10 having theports 45 being omitted to avoid confusion in the drawing.

Figure 8 is a detail elevation of one of the side plates 6.

Figure 9 is a detail section through one of the pressure channelsshowing the steps on the bottom, outer and side walls.

Figure 10 is perspective view of the preferred form of rotor.

Figure 11 is a detail perspective view, parts being broken away, of thecentral unit, one of the side pressure units and one of the side exhaustunits of the rotor separated.

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the steam channels of therotor shown in Figure 10.

Figures 13 and 14 are longitudinal sections at right angles to oneanother, of one of the steam nozzles.

Figure 15 is a detail perspective view of a modification of theinvention in which the pressure channel is narrow and not provided witha shearing partition.

Figure 16 is a diagrammatic view of the steam passages in the rotorshown in Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a. detail perspective view of another modification in whichthe intermediate pressure channels are dispensed with, the steam passingdirectly from the central or inlet channels through the exhaust channelsat the side.

Figure 18 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the steam passages of therotor shown in Figure 7.

Figure 19 is a detail perspective view of a portion of another modifiedrotor in which the intermediate pressure channels are provided with aplurality of shearing partitions.

Figure 20 is a diagrammatic View of the steam passages of the rotor ofFigure 19.

Figure 21 is a vertical section through the nozzle chamber of thehousing, the rotor being omitted, showing a modified form laterspecifically described.

Figure 22 is a. central vertical section of another modification of theinvention later described.

Figure 23 is a detail section showing how the blades 4 are held betweenthe plates 6.

The invention comprises a rotor of several compartments or units, firmlyfastened together, through the center of which passes a shaft 1 fortransmission of the power, and to which the rotor is fastened at thehubs 2 which form the extreme ends of the rotor.

The rotor of the turbine receives steam from suitably located andspecially designed nozzles 3, which will be further or more fullydescribed; a casing 24 enclosing the rotor through which the nozzlespenetrate, and to receive the exhausted steam to be led to theatmosphere or a suitable condenser.

The rotor includes a central unit and side units (Figures 10 and 11)each haying a steam passage or channel.

The central compartmentconstitutes the steam inlet compartment, intowhich the steam issuing from the suitably located nozzles, in thecentral part of the casing 24 surrounding the central compartment of therotor, enters successively between the inlet blades 4t into an annularchannel 5 (formed by the annular side plates of the central compartment,the interior surfaces of the inlet blades 4- and a cylindrical band '7between the annular side plates which forms the bottom of the channelthrough which the steam issuing from the nozzles circulates in acontinuous whirl in the direction of the rotation of the rotor glancingin its course from blade to blade, exhausting by suction the spacesbetween the outside surfaces of inlet blades, and their enclosingcentral part 8 of the casing Fig ures 1 and 4), also the front of thestepped surfaces 36 and 3'? of the bottom '7 and sides 6 of the channel5, Figure 1.

'On the sides of tiis annular channel in the side plates of the centralcompartment of the rotor are ports or opening 9 (see Figures 1, 4:. 5and 11) which together with the inner side plates 39 of the sidecompartments of the rotor, form distributing channels 11 (see Figure 12)through wl ich the steam, deflected laterally by the resistanceencountered in glancing from blade to blade in the central annularchannel 5, enters and distributes successively into the annular channels12 and 38 (see Figure 12) of the side compartments of the rotor whirlingin the direction of the rotation of the rotor.

The ports 9 have their advanced surfaces 25 inclined toward tie sides oroutlets of the openings, while their rear or following walls 26 aresquare across (see Figures 11 and 12), so that the steam in passingthrough of the rotor,

the channels 11 will cause a partial vacuum or suction in front of oradjacent to the surfaces 26 to avoid back pressure.

The side or pressure compartments are each composed of two circularplates 39 and 10. The inner plates 39 are little larger in diameter thanthe plates so as to form small flanges 14 extending above the centralcompartment of the rotor between which fits, with sufficient clearancefor free rotation of the rotor, the central part 8 of the casing 2 1.Between the two side plates of each side compartment of the rotor arechannels 12 (called pressure channels) formed by cylindrical rings 4L0and f1 Figures t, 9 and 11) rings 11 forming the outer surface and rings10 forming the bottom surface of the channels. The inside surface of therings L0 and 4.1 are cut in step formation (see Figure 9) and the sidesof the channels have also steps 4-2 cut in their surface, the front ofwhich is exhausted of pressure resistance by suction caused by thetherein rapidly forward whirling steam entering therein from thedistributing chan nels 11.

The outer or exhaust compartments of the rotor, are each composed of twocircular plates 10 and 13. On the outer plates 13, the hubs 2 arefastened, through which hubs tie shaft passes and is fastened. Betweenthe tar side plates of each outer or exhaust compartment of the rotorare peripheral blades 15', which together with the exhaust openings 16form the periphery of these compartments of the rotor. below theperipheral blades 15 and separated from their inner edges arecylindrical rings 17, which to gether with the side plates 10 and 13 andthe peripheral blades 15, form the annular channels 38 called exhaustchannels of the outer compartments of the rotor. The bottom and sides ofthe channels stepped at 43 and H as shown in Figures 7 and 12. On thesides of the channels in plates 10 are ports or openings 415 (see Figure12) communicating with the pressure channels, through which the steamenters the exhaust channels still with velocity and whirling in aforward direction. and expanding out through the openings 16 between theperipheral blades into the exhaust casing, relieving the front surfaceof the peripheral blades of pressure resistance by the resultantsuction.

ln order that the steam entering the annular pressure channels and theannular e haust channels may not be deflected at too great an angle in alateral direction when entering these channels through the respectiveside ports. these channels should have a shearing disk 18 (see Figures2, 4t and 6) located somewhat in advanceof the openings of the channels11. and ports 45.

All the compartments of the rotor are firmly hcl d together by crossbolts 19 and nuts 2( Through the central part of the casing, the nozzles3, one or more, penetrate and are placed equally distant around theperiphery of the rotor, their number depends on the size of the turbine.

The nozzles 3 are to be long when a high pressure is to be used, theirsteam entrances 21 t iinating in divergent out-let ends 22, astheentrance space between the inlet blades is narrow and does not admitof a single cylindrical. or square nozzle; the nozzles should bepartitioned so as to form a row of separate nozzles with square areas,see Figures 13 and 14-) this has a tendency for a higher steam speed, byavoiding the internal pressure limiting the steam velocity. The lengthof the parallel part 2i of the nozzles depends on the steam pressure tobe used; the object is, that the resistance in the parallel part 21 ofthe nozzles reduces tie steam pressure sufficiently, so that whenentering the divergent part 22, it is enabled to expand entirely beforeleaving the nozzle outlet 23 to the pressure medium existing between theinlet blades and their surrounding casing; the resistance in theparallel ends of the nozzles has a tendency to superheat the steam bythe friction, and consequently increase the volume of the steam anddecrease the amount of weight of flow. As there is a tendency to createmore or less of a vacuum between the outer surfaces of the inlet bladesand their surrounding stationary casing band, due to the'suction causedby the rapidity of flow, (into which partial vacuum the steam coursingin the inlet channel would expand and dissipate part of its pressure),the casing band surrounding the inlet blades should form the bottom of achannel 32 (see Figures 1 and 4E) and have side openings 33, tocommunicate with the exhaust casing. The bottom of this channel 32'hasnozzle shaped openings 46 through which the steam enters into the lowerpressure medium existing between the blade surfaces and the stationarycentral channel band. and balances the pressure in the inlet channel,thus preventing a dissipation of pressure in said inlet channel and atthe same time utilizing the momentum of the steamentering through thesenozzle openings. The inlet blades should have their outer surfacestepped as at l7 (see Figure so that the entering steam from the nozzlesdoes not exert a back pressure on the blades the moment they pass thenozzle area, then any pressure exerted on the outside surface of theblades would be toward the center of the rotor, and the front of thestepped surface be cleared by suction of back pressure.

The rotor can also be constructedwithout the central casing band 8 asshown in 1? are 22 but in that case the outside surface of the inletblades would have to carry the resistance of whirl against the pressureexisting in the exhaust casing, and the outer surface of the inletblades should be smooth so as to offer the least resistance in thewhirl. I

The nozzles receive the supply of steam from the main 2? through lateralducts 28 in which are shut off valves or control valves 29. The nozzlesare supported in casings 30 which are in communication with the steamducts 28, suit-able drain cocks 31 being provided where desired.

The steam connection with the nozzles shown in Figure l is a preferredconstruction but, especially for low pressure turbines where shortnozzles are to be used, they can be arranged as shown in Figure 21 toreceive steam from a common compartment enclosing the nozzles.

The turbine can be governed by any well known governor in present useand the ex-- haust steam may be led off from the haust casing to theexhaust pipe 85 into atmosphere or into a suitable condenser (notshown). V

In its function this turbine differs from others by the absence ofsudden steam impacts and deflections from moving to stationary surfacesand vice versa; also the steam pressure below the atmospheric pressureis caused to act by the suction of the rapidly forward whirling steamexhausting the front surface area of the steps of pressure resistance,thus creating an un balanced force pushing the rotor in a forwarddirection, and in this manner utilizing the latent heat energy of thesteam wit out the aid of a condenser; the steam exhausting from therotor by expanding backward and out etween the peripheral blades of theexhaust channels at an angle of 180 degrees from the direction of thesteam entering the rotor. As the steam still has 'a pressure of about 15pounds absolute in the exhaust casing the turbine can be staged incombination with a low pressure turbine in connection with a condenserfor still greater steam economy.

In the claims where 1' refer to the peripheral stepped surfaces lidesire it understood that these surfaces may be formed either by acontinuous stepped band as indicated in Figure 7 or by means of steppedblades as indicated for instance in Figure 1.

What I claim is: V

1. In a rotary motor, a rotor comprising a shaft, a drum on said shafthaving a fluid inlet channel, a set of pressure channels, and a set ofreaction or exhaust channels, peripheral blades for the inlet channel,peripheral steps in the pressure channels, peripheral blades in theexhaust channels, steam passages between the respective channels, acasing enclosing the rotor and having provision for receiving theexhaust steam from the reaction channel, means introducing steam intothe inlet channel through spaces between the adjacent blades to passaround the inlet channel and from thence into and around successivepressure a central and side steam channels and exhaust channels, thesurfaces of said channels and blades that are engaged by the steam beingstepped.

2. In a rotary motor, a rotor, a casing within which said rotoroperates, said rotor having annular steam circulating channels withinclined peripheral steam directing surfaces arranged in step formationto cause a partial vacuum or suction at the advance or stepped end ofthe surfaces, means for delivering steam into the inlet channel tocirculate through the several channels in a continuously forwarddirection, the side walls and bottom of said channels being stepped.

3. In a rotary motor wherein is provided a casing, a rotor within thecasing having separated one from another by longitudinal partitionshaving passageways, and means for delivering steam into thecentralchannel, said casing adapted to receive the exhaust steam from therotor, an annular ring carried by the casing surrounding the centralchannel and provided with ports in communication with the exhaustchamber of the casing.

4-. In a rotary motor, a rotor having a steam inlet channel andadditional annular channels at the sides of the inlet channel, inclinedperipheral blades extending across the inlet channel and located adistance from the bottom wall of the channel, similarly located bladesin certain of the additional channels, said drum having partitionsbetween the several channels with openings from one channel to theadjacent channel, a housing in which the drum rotates, at least onesteam introducing nozzle for delivering the steam into the inlet channelwith velocity, said housing having an ex haust passage for exhaustingsteam to atmosphere and means for effecting communication between theexhaust channel of the casing and the periphery of the steam inletchannel.

5. In a rotary motor, a rotor having a steam inlet channel andadditional annular channels at the sides of the inlet channel, inclinedperipheral blades extending across the inlet channel and located adistance from the bottom wall of the channel, similarly located bladesin certain of the additional channels, said drum having partitionsbetween the several channels with openings from one channel to theadjacent channel, a housing in which the drum rotates, at least onesteam introducing nozzle for delivering the steam into the inlet channelwith velocity, said housing having an exhaust passage for exhaustingsteam to atmosphere and means for effecting communication between theexhaust channel of the casing and the periphery of the steam inletchannel, the intermediate channels each being closed at its periphery byan annular 1 ieeass ring having stepped steam engaging surfaces.

6. In a rotary motor, a rotor having a steam inlet channel andadditional annular channels at the sides of the inlet channel, inclinedperipheral blades extending across the inlet channel and located adistance from the bottom wall of the channel, similarly located bladesin certain of the additional channels, said drum having partitionsbetween the several channels with openings from one channel to theadjacent channel, a housing in which the drum rotates, at least onesteam introducing nozzle for delivering the steam into the inlet channelwith velocity, said housing having an exhaust passage for exhaustingsteam to atmosphere, means for effecting communication between theexhaust channel of the easing and the periphery of the steam inletchannel, the intermediate channels each being closed at its periphery byan annular ring having stepped steam engaging sur faces, and the sideand bottom walls of said steam channels of the rotor being stepped.

7. In steam turbines, a rotor comprising at least a central and two sideunits, each unit having an annular steam channel with peripheral steppedsurfaces in the channels, ducts bet-ween the respective units, the sideunits having exhaust outlets, means to admit steam into the central unitbetween the blades thereof, avhousing for the rotor, the steam engagingwalls of the several channels being stepped.

8. In steam turbines, a rotor comprising at least a central and two sideunits, each unit having an annular steam channel with peripheral steppedsurfaces in the channels, ducts between the respective units, the sideunits having exhaust outlets, means to admit steam into the central unitbetween the blades thereof, a housing for the rotor, the steam engagingwalls of the several channels being stepped, certain of said channelshaving shearing partitions, the steam engaging surfaces of which arestepped.

9. In steam turbines, a rotor comprising at least a central and two sideunits, each unit having an annular steam channel with peripheral steppedsurfaces in the channels, ducts between the repective units, the sideunits having exhaust outlets, means to admit steam into the central unitbetween the blades thereof, a housing for the rotor, the steam engagingwalls of the several channels being stepped, such housing havingprovision for effecting communication between the exhaust compartment ofsaid housing and the periphery of said central unit of the rotor.

10. In steam turbines, a rotor comprising at least a central and twoside units, each unit having an annular steam channel with peripheralstepped. surfaces in the channels,

gaging surfaces of Which are stepped, such housing having provision foreffecting com munication between the exhaust compart- 10 ment of saidhousing and the periphery of said central unit of the rotor.

5N0. F. GREY.

